Packaged assembly of modular wall elements



Sheet INVENTOR Feb. 18, 1969 R. N. NYBORG PACKAGED ASSEMBLY OF MODULAR WALL ELEMENTS Filed Oct. 24, 1967 FIG. 2

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Feb. ,18, 1969 R. N. NYBORG PACKAGED ASSEMBLY OF MODULAR WALL; ELEMENTS Filed Oct. 24, 1967 Sheet Fl I INVENTGR BY Rose-x27 /V Nreoes A fra/QNE Y Feb. 18, 1969 R. N. NYBORG PACKAGED ASSEMBLY OF MODULAR WALL ELEMENTS Sheet Filed Oct. 24, 1967 FIG/0A INVENTOR m m N w N & m m

Feb. 18, 1969 R. N. NYBORG PACKAGED ASSEMBLY OF MODULAR WALL ELEMENTS Sheet Filed Oct. 24, 1967 FIG. /8

INVENTOR BY Ross/2T N. A/raons file/v5) FIG. /7

United States Patent 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A packaged assembly of modular wall elements, wherein the wall elements themselves when assembled comprise the various sides and the top and bottom of the package and wherein a spacer element interposed between certain of the wall elements serves to compartmentize the interior of the package for receiving panel fastening elements, etc., and at the same time form, if desired, a module of a modular ladder.

Background of the invention This invention relates to an improved package assembly for various elements making up a modular wall system that can be used for revetments and the like. These elements comprise similarly configured panels together with improved fastening elements for demountably securing the panels together. Various schemes have been proposed in the past for packaging such elements. However, these dilferent schemes have had one or more serious drawbacks. For example, certain packaging schemes involved bulky packages which not only took up a great deal of space, but also involved separate packages for the panels and separate packages for the panel fastening elements per se. Unless the two sets of packages were kept together they could get lost, thus making the contents of one package useless without the availability of the contents of the other. The package of the instant invention thus assures arrival of panels and fasteners, etc., simultaneously at the job site.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, it is the primary purpose of the instant invention to provide an improved arrangement for assembling all of the components required for installing an improved modular wall system such as the panels, fastening elements and tools in a single simplified, compact package wherein the panels serve as the main components of the package. This package can be easily assembled and disassembled while, at the same time, taking up a minimum amount of storage space. The package can be readily handled and transported by conventional handling equipment, such as fork lift trucks and the like. Finally, an improved spacer element used in the package may also serve as a unique ladder element. The wall system itself and various components thereof are covered in another application being filed concurrently herewith.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a broken side elevational view of a preferred form of panel that can be used in practicing the instant invention with 'a modification thereof being shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are three views in dotted and solid lines and illustrate different types of joints that can be formed by the overlapped flanges of two or more of the panels of FIG. 1 and how other panels can be superposed thereon;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a preferred form of fastener or clamp-like element that can be used to 3,428,170 Patented Feb. 18, 1969 secure a panel of FIG. 1 with other similarly configured panels to form a modular wall assembly and with parts pf a pair of joined together panels being shown in dotted mes;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the clamp-like element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmented view of several flanged panel elements secured together at the flanges thereof by means of the deformable clamp-like element depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 and illustrates the manner in which various parts of the clamp-like element engage various portions of the overlapped panel flanges;

FIG. 7 is a fragmented perspective view of a pair of overlapped panel flanges and illustrates the procedure used in lining up the flanges of the panels to be joined and the final condition of a clamp-like element after it has been inserted in certain aligned apertures of the panel flanges and deformed;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view taken generally within the circumscribing line 8 of FIG. 7 and illustrates the manner in which a fastening element can be deformed by an appropriate tool so as to finally assume the configuration shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a four-way panel joint assembly and at the same time illustrates a preferred first step used in assembling the panels to start an initial layer or wall course made up of the panels of the instant invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates the manner of assembling the various wall panels of the instant invention together to form first and second layers of angularly disposed course segments with certain parts shown in dotted lines and others removed for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged fragmentary view generally taken within the circumscribing line 10A of FIG. 10 with parts added and illustrates a typical joint assembly formed between various panels when a second layer or course is applied over the first layer or course of panels during erection of the modular wall system of the instant invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a pair of superposed panels and illustrates the manner in which one panel can be overlapped by a superposed panel in forming a second course or layer of panels;

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate modified forms or configurations for the panel elements that can be used in making up the wall structure as well as the modular wall systems formed thereby;

FIGS. 14 and 14A are perspective views of different parts of a disassembled package of the instant invention made up of the various panels and panel fasteners, etc.;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the overall package made from the assemblage of the various elements shown in FIGS. 14 and 14A;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the package shown in FIG. 15 with parts added in dotted and solid lines;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a novel ladder element that can be formed from the spacer device used in the package of FIGS. l416; and

FIG. 18 illustrates a further modified wall system that can be assembled from the panels of the instant invention.

With further reference to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred form of panel element 2 which can be used in practicing the instant invention is generally quadrilateral in shape and made from a suitable material such as flexible sheet steel of the appropriate thin gauge on the order for example of .018. The panel is roll or press formed in such a fashion that it is provided with a pair of main generally planar panel faces 3 and 4 and opposing side edges 5 and 6. The side edges 5 and 6 are advantageously bent at preferably a 45 angle to one face, such as face 4, to form side flanges 7 and 8 which are then disposed at about a 135 angle relative to the other major face 3 of the panel. Each of the side flanges 7 and 8 is further provided with a plurality of apertures that can be in the form of elongated slots 9. These slots are located at predetermined fixed distances apart and from the free marginal edges of the flanges of the panels so that when the panel flanges are overlapped, in a manner to be described hereinafter, the apertures 9 of the overlapped flanges of various panels 2 will be registered one with another for receiving deformable clamp-like elements or clips 20. If desired, the panels may have longitudinal corrugations 10 and lateral corrugations 11 or other stiffening elements embossed therein for the purpose of reinforcing the same.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the top edge of a panel 2 is provided with an end tab 12. Elongated slots 13 similar to the elongated flange slots 9 are located in this end tab 12 for receiving the deformable clamp-like elements 20 when one panel 2 is superposed above and upon another panel 2 and the bottom edge of the topmost panel 2 is overlapped with the tab end of the lowermost panel 2 in a manner to be more fully described. The bottom edge of the panel 2 may be formed so as to have a similar end tab 12', if desired, and shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

In the event a panel is not provided with a further end tab :12 at the bottom thereof, then the longitudinal center lines of the slots 14 in the bottom edge of the panel are located inwardly the same distance, e.g. 2" from the free edge of the bottom portion of the panel as the longitudinal center lines of the slots 13 at the top are located inwardly of the free edge of the top end tab 12 for registry purposes during overlapping of the top and bottom edges of superposed panels.

On the other hand, when the panels 2 carry a further bottom end tab 12', then a slightly different top and bottom slot arrangement is used. In this case, the top end tab slots 13 are located on the panel such that their longitudinal center lines generally coincide with the projected line L which is aligned with the top free edges of the flanges 7 and 8, while the bottom tab slots 14 are located such that their longitudinal center lines coincide with the line M aligned or coinciding with the bottom free edges 15 at the bottom of panel 2. In other words, the sets of slots 13 and '14 or 13' and 14, as the case may be, are so arranged depending on which set is used whereby the slots at the top of one panel will fully coincide and register with the bottom slots of another panel 2 when the panels 2 are superposed and overlapped so that the clamp-like elements can be inserted through the aligned sets of slots. The slots 13 and 14 or 13' and 14 are also so located in the ends of panel 2 so as not to interfere with any mating of the corrugations 10 in the overlapped panels when such corrugations are used.

When one panel 2, provided with top and bottom end tabs 12 and 12, is superposed upon another and similarly shaped panel 2 in the fashion indicated in FIG. 11, each of the opposing end tabs 12 and 12' of the two panels overlaps one another on either the outside or inside surface of the final joint structure and with the side flanges 7 and 8 of a bottom panel 2 serving as bearing supports or columns for similar flanges of the top:

most panel 2 which rest thereon.

As indicated in the drawings, the beveled edges 19 at the longitudinal ends of the top and bottom end tabs 12 and 12 of a panel 2 are advantageously offset somewhat inwardly of the fold line F between the body of the panel 2 and the associated side flanges 7 or 8 whereby the beveled edges 19 intersect the top or free edges 15 or 15', as the case may be, at a point P spaced inwardly of the fold line F along the top or bottom edge .15 and 15 relative to the associated side edge 7 or 8. The point P is spaced an appropriate small distance from the projection of the relatively closer fold line F thereby leaving in effect a ledge portion 9 which eliminates or minimizes interference between the overlapped tabs 12 and 12 of panels when these panels are superposed.

With reference particularly to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a preferred form of deformable clamp-like element or clip 20, that can be used to secure a series of panels 2 together at the flanged and tab portions thereof, is generally comprised of an intermediate or waist portion 22 and a pair of opposing legs 24 and 26 Which are joined to the waist portion of the clip in the manner shown particularly in FIG. 4. At the point of join'der of the legs 24 and 26 with the waist portion 22, the legs taper or narrow down to form an enlarged arcuate recess 28 formed by the curvilinear inner portions of the legs 24 and 26. Thus, at their point of juncture with the waist 22, the legs are advantageously normally spaced fur ther from one another than at other portions along their lengths even when one of the legs has been deformed. In addition to the legs 24 and 26, the clip is advantageously provided with a shoulder portion 30 at the top thereof and preferably on the same side of the clip as leg 26. One of the legs, such as leg 26, is deformable and it is provided on the inner section thereof with a cam-like portion 32. When the leg 26 of clip 20, which upon manufacture of the clip is usually disposed at an angle to the normal plane of the clip, is bent along the bending axis 31 of the clip generally indicated at 31 in FIG. 4 by a suitable tool 33, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the leg 26 then assumes the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 or a position wherein the plane of leg 26 roughly parallels the main plane of the leg while being spaced therefrom. The clip 20 can be made of any suitable material such as steel whereby it can be deformed as noted above.

The manner of assembly of the flanged panels is generally accomplished as follows. After at least one pair of apertured flanges on opposing panels 2 are placed in overlapping engagement with each other, the various slots 9 in the overlapped flanges are brought into registry with one another so that each registered set of apertures 9 in the overlapped flanges at any given point form an overall opening 35 within which the clip-like element 20 is inserted. In order to effect a full registry of the various apertures 9, a suitable tool element 33 can be employed. This tool is provided with a hook section 36 which fits within the apertures 9 making up an overall opening 35 and a wing portion 37 thereof acts as a stop for the tool. The hand engaging portion 38 of the tool has a claw 39 thereon. Since the apertures 9 are all located at selected registrable points on each panel when one series of apertures in several panels are aligned, the other series of apertures in the overlapped flanges of the same panels will be automatically aligned. This hook section 36 fits within the various apertures. Thus, when a tool 33 is inserted in one series 35 of aligned apertures and temporarily held in place in such apertures, it holds the flanges together long enough for the clamp-like elements 20 to be inserted in the other series of aligned apertures. Then while the flanges are held together by various previously inserted clips 20, the tool can be removed from the given set of apertures and replaced by a final clip element 20.

A clip element 20 is disposed in a series of aligned apertures of overlapped panels by inserting the leg 24 foremost in the apertures or slots and then turning the clip 20 at an angle until the leg 24 engages the exposed surface of the flange of one panel 2 and shoulder 30 engages the flange of another panel. Since the length of inter-mediate or waist portion 22 of the clip is somewhat smaller than the overall length of the apertures 9 and because of the enlarged opening 28 at the point of joinder of the legs and waist 22, the clip 20 can be readily maneuvered into position. Next, the foldable leg 26 is gripped between the claw elements 39 of tool 33 and deformed by being bent about axis 31 until leg 26 extends in the same general direction as the rest of the clip. As the leg 26 is deformed, the cam portion 32 thereof engages the exposed flange surface of a panel 2 while leg 24 continues to engage the exposed flange surface of another panel 2. As the cam portion 32 of the clip engages its associated panel 2, it acts to draw the flanges of all of the panels making up a given joint assembly tightly together.

During this drawing together of the lapped panels, the shoulder 30 of the clip 20 engages the same panel as leg 26 whereby a triangulated engagement or a three point contact is effected between the panels and a'given clip at an overall opening 35 by means of the shoulder 30 at point A, the leg 26 at point B and the other leg 24 at point C.

As noted above, the waist portion 22 of each clamp-like element has a shorter overall dimension as well as less thickness than an aperture or slot 9 so that it fits relatively loosely in the overall slot or opening 35 formed by a given series of aligned apertures 9 in the lapped panels. This feature not only allows the clip 20 to adjust itself to various tolerances in the slots 9 resulting from manufacture, but also facilitates removal of the clip by redeforming the leg 26 thereof 'if it is desirable to disassemble the panels for any reason. During deformation of the clip, the shoulder 30 of the clip serves as a bearing support for the clip to facilitate the deforming of leg 26.

The same basic clip installation procedure described above for securing adjacent lapped panel flanges together in one course or layer is employed for effecting the jointure between the panels making up further layers and top and bottom edges of superposed and lapped panels 2, reference being made particularly to FIGS. 10A and 11 of the drawings. As indicated in FIGS. lOA and 11, when the opposing end tabs of a pair of superposed panels are overlapped, a clip element 20 is insertable and defonmable in an overall aperture 35 formed by the aperture 13' at the top end tab 12 of the bottom panel 2 and an aperture 14 in the bottom end tab of the top panel. Where a panel 2 is not provided with a bottom tab 12', then an aperture 13 of the top tab 12 in the bottom panel combines with an aperture 14 registered therewith in the bottom edge of the topmost panel to form an overall aperture 35 for receiving a clip 20.

A typical modular wall system that can be formed by the panels 2 and clamp-like elements 20 of the instant invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. This wall system, comprised of a network of interconnected panels that form individual open cells 40, may be used for retaining walls, aircraft revetments and the like with the open cells being filled with earth, sand, gravel or the like. The walls, revetments, etc., can also be built in several layers, if desired, depending upon the size of the panels. The final wall assembly then can include two-Way, three-way and four-way hub-like joint structures made up of superposed layers of overlapped panels, such as those shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, with the particular angular disposition of the panel flanges 7 and 8 to the major faces of the panels being of material assistance in giving the panels flexibility of disposition in this regard.

As indicated in dotted lines in FIGS. 3A and 3B in forming the superposed layers of panels 2 so as to have corresponding overlapped and aligned three-Way and four-way lap joints, it may be desirable in some instances and as indicated by the dotted lines in these figures to offset the main joint formed by the panels of one layer with the main joint formed by the panels in another layer. In such instances, offsetting the end tabs 12 and 12' being offset inwardly of the fold line F as aforedescribed, is used to advantage to obtain a smooth interfit and overlapping relationship of all the various panels.

A preferred mode of assembly of the wall or revetment of FIGS. 9 and 10 is as follows. Firstly, four panels 2 are oriented relative to one another in a generally right angular relationship such that the flanges of all of the panels are in overlapping relationship and are combined to form a hub-like joint structure 42. At the same time, the various apertures 9 of all of the lapped panel flanges at this joint structure 42 are aligned to form individual overall apertures and two of the panels 2 are arranged in a straight line along what may be considered to be' the center line X for the wall. Thereafter, the deformable fasteners 20 are inserted in the overall openings 35 formed by the individual apertures 9 of the lapped panels at the first formed hub-like joint structure 42 and then deformed in the manner previously described.

A second hub-like joint structure 42 is formed by overlapping, for example, the flange of one of the panels 2 making up the first hub-like joint structure 42 along line X with the flanges of a plurality of other flanged and similarly configurated panels 2 in the fashion shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9. This second hub-like joint structure 42' is formed from four flanges of four different panels 2, all of which have alignable apertures 9. Clip-like fasteners 20 are first inserted and then deformed in these new aligned apertures 9 as aforedescribed. Additional hublike joint structures 42' are then formed from previously joined together panels 2 and new panels 2 until the desired overall Wall system of the type shown in FIG. 9 has been built up along the same general center line X in at least one layer.

If it is desired to build a wall extension 44 at an angle to the main center line X previously described, then additional hub-like joint structures are formed 'by new panels assembled in the manner previously described along a new center line or axis Y disposed at an angle to center line or axis X to form at least one layer of cells in the wall extension 44. Each wall section may be made as wide as desired simply by adding new cells by way of additional panels.

The openings between any pair of panels located on the outside of the wall structure are closed off by either two-way or three-way partial hub-like joint structures 46 and 48 respectively. In this instance, the opening between a pair of panels 2 located on the outside of the wall structure is closed by interposing similarly configured enclosing panels 2 provided with apertured flanges 7 and 8 therebetween and overlapping the flanges 7 and 8 of the last mentioned enclosing panels with the flanges 7 and 8 of the pairs of panels being enclosed such that the apertures 9 of all of the overlapped and overlapping panel flanges are in registry. Thereafter, the deformable fastening elements 20 described above are removably inserted in the last mentioned apertures and deformed.

In the design of the panels 2 wherein flanges 7 and 8 are bent inwardly at approximately a angle so that the interior angles of the flanges are approximately 135, this particular angular disposition of the flanges is used to advantage in packaging the panels for shipment and storage and in forming an overall unique panel packaging arrangement which will now be described, reference being made particularly to FIGS. 14-18.

In the improved panel packaging system, it is contemplated that a first series of panels 2 be nested with each other and with their flanges 7 and 8 being upturned to form a stack 50 of panels. Thereafter, a spacer element 52 advantageously made in the form of a ladder-like framework of wood or the like and provided with longitudinal legs 54 and cross member 56, all secured together, is placed upon the first nested series 50 of panels 2 in the fashion shown in FIG. 14A. If desired, and as indicated particularly in FIG. 17, the two longitudinal legs 54 can be provided at one end thereof with hollow end caps 58 appropriately nailed or stapled to the legs and providing in part hollow sockets for receiving the uncapped ends of legs 54 of similar ladder-like spacers 52 of other panel packs so that a full ladder can be formed for use in the installation and erection of the panels 2 in a multi-layer modular wall or revetment system of the instant invention.

After locating the spacer 52 on the first panel series 50 all of the various fasteners 20 and tools 33 that would be used for a given package of panels are inserted in the hollow pockets or recesses 100 formed by the cross runners 56 and the longitudinal legs 54, the fasteners 20 and tools 33 being located in the sacks 102 disposed in pockets 100. If desired, end caps 58 can also be placed in these recesses or pockets 100. Then a second series of nested panels making up a stack 60 is placed over top of the first pack or stack 50 with the flanges of both stacks 50 and 60 of the panels 2 being turned inwardly so as to contact each other and close off the sides of the package and with the spacer element 52 being interposed between the major faces of the panels in stacks 50 and 60. Finally, the assemblage of individual packs 50 and 60 and spacer 52 is placed upon the usual wooden skids or runners 70 that can extend parallel or crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the package. The entire package is then strapped together in a fashion shown in FIGS. and 16 by means of the usual strapping wires or bundling elements 72 which, upon the tightening of the ends thereof, hold the assembled parts of the package together. The endmost spacer elements 56 serve as effective closures for the final package. The ground engaging spaced runners 70 permit engagement of the package by the forks of the usual fork lift trucks, etc., and serve as supports for the final package during shipment and storage. When the final packages are stored one on another, the runners 70 efi'ectively separate the packages one from another so that each package can be individually grabbed or grasped by the forks of the fork lift truck. The converging flanges 7 and 8 of the panels 2 in the final package act to create appropriate bumper and side elements protecting the side edges of the panel package from damage. Inasmuch as the converging flanges 7 and 8 of the panels 2 which are oppositely disposed in the two stacks 50 and 60 fully converge with and touch each other at the median line D of the package the sides of the package are fully enclosed. The angle of inclination of the flanges provides the package with beveled rather than sharp edges, which helps to protect the package and the panels against damage. Finally, the particular and preferred 45 angle of inclination enables the panels to be tightly nested one with another in each of the stacks 50 and 60.

Although a preferred form of modular wall assembly has been illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and makes up the panels 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is within the contemplation of this invention that the panels may have slightly different designs and configurations from that specifically shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, as indicated in FIG. 12, each of the apertured flanges 7 and 8 respectively of a panel 2 may project outwardly at the preferred interior angles of 135 to each of the major faces 3 and 4 of the panel 2 instead of the same major face. When this occurs, the flanges of the modified panels 2 can still be overlapped and secured together by clips in the same general fashion as the panels 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2 to [form a modular wall system of the type shown in FIG. 12.

Further, in lieu of using apertured flanged panels 2 which have planar faces 3 and 4, the panels 2 may be somewhat curved so that faces 3 and 4' thereof are respectively concave and convex. In any event, the module generating axis of a plane defined by the dotted lines Z of each panel in FIG. 13 is, for all practical purposes, a straight line with the flanges 7 and 8 of a given panel still being located at about the desired interior angles of 135 relative to the module generating axis Z of such a curved panel. In this case, the apertured flanges 7 and 8 of the panels 2 of FIG. 13 can likewise be held together by clips 20.

Finally, various combinations of panels 2 can be used as indicated in FIG. 18 to form modular wall systems.

Thus, for example, panels 2 of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be used with the modified flanged panels 2 of FIG. 12 provided with the usual apertured flanges and with clips 20 being used to hold the panels together in the manner previously described.

When multi-layered wall or revetment systems are desired, the panels 2 of the first layer are overlapped and tied together in the manner previously described. In this instance, a preferred method of doing this involves overlapping the innermost panels 2 of the wall system with similar panels 2 first and then working outwardly from the innermost line of cells 40 formed by the panels 2. When the panels 2 have the configuration shown in FIGS. 12 or 13, they can still be assembled as a package in the same general fashion as noted above with respect to the panel of FIGS. 1 and 2. Additional elements may be needed, however, to compartmentize and close off the ends of the final packages and special skids used in such instances. Thus, in the case of the panels of FIG. 12, two stacks of panels can be used wherein the flanges of the panels on one side of the package converge while they diverge on the other side of the package. In this case, the long runner 54 could be employed to close off the interior of the package at the side of the package containing the divergent flanges. In the situation of the panels of FIG. 13, the panels would be arranged such that the package made-up of two stacks of panels would have an outside convex curvature with the spacer being located between the concave surfaces of the innermost panels of each stack making up the package. In this instance also, the cross runners 56 or steps of the spacer could be cut to have a convex curvature which fits the inner or concave configuration of the panels. In any event, the package for the panels of FIG. 12 or 13 would be such that certain side portions of the panels on either side of the spacer would converge or be directed toward each other so as to close off one side of the package.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described. It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims, wherein--- What is claimed is:

1. A packaging arrangement for flanged panels of the type described comprised of at least one pair of opposed panels provided with side flanges and arranged with certain portions of the panels projecting inwardly and towards the interior of the package and towards each other, an open framework spacer means interposed between said panels and providing in combination with said panels compartments for receiving fastening elements used to secure said flanged panels together during use and strap means encompassing the outer exposed surfaces of the panels including the flanges thereof for holding the final package of assem'bled panels and spacer means together.

2. A packaging arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the portions of the panels that project inwardly and towards each other comprise side flanges on the panels.

3. A packaging arrangement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the side flanges of a panel are arranged at an interior angle of about to a major face of the panel.

4. A packaging arrangement for flanged panels of the type described comprised of at least one pair of opposed panels provided with side flanges and arranged with their side flanges projecting inwardly toward the interior of the package and towards each other, an open framework spacer means interposed and confined between the flanges on the opposed panels, and providing in combination with said panels compartments for receiving the panel fastening elements used to secure the flanged panels together during use and strap means encompassing the outer exposed surfaces of the panels including the flanges thereof, and holding the final package of assembled panels and spacer means together.

5. A packaging arrangement as set forth in claim 4 wherein the side flanges on each panel are arranged at an interior angle of about 135 to the inner and protected major face of the panel with which a pair of side flanges is associated.

6. A packaging arrangement for flanged panels of the type described comprised of at least one pair of opposed panels each of which is provided with side flanges, said panels being such that certain portions of the panels project inwardly and towards the interior of the package and each other, a combined open framework ladder-andspacer element interposed between said panels and providing in combination with said panels compartments for receiving fastening elements used to secure said flanged panels together during use and strap means encompassing the outer exposed surfaces of the panels including the flanges thereof and holding the final package of assembled panels and spacer element together.

7. A packaging arrangement as set forth in claim 6 wherein the portions of the panels that project inwardly and towards each other comprise side flanges on the panels.

8. A packaging arrangement as set forth in claim 6 wherein the side flanges of a panel are arranged at an interior angle of about 135 to the inner and protected major face of the panel.

9. A packaging arrangement as set forth in claim 6 wherein the spacer element is confined between the flanges of opposed panels.

10. A packaging arrangement for flanged panels of the type described comprised of one stack of nested and similarly configured panels each of which is provided with a side flange, a second stack of nested and similarly configured panels each of which is provided with a side flange and the panels being arranged such that certain side portions of the panels in one stack project inwardly and towards certain side portions of the panels in the other and opposing stack of panels, an open framework spacer element interposed and confined between the flanges on opposing stack of the panels, and providing in combination with stacks of panels compartments for receiving the panel fastening elements used to secure the flanged panels together during use and strap means encompassing the outer exposed surfaces of each stack of panels including the flanges thereof, and holding the final package of assembled panels and spacer element together.

11. A packaging arrangement as set forth in claim 10 wherein the side flanges on each panel in at least one stack of panels are arranged at an interior angle of about 135 to the inner and protected major face of the panel with which the side flanges are associated.

12. A packaging arrangement as set forth in claim 10 wherein the spacer element is in the form of a ladder which is confined between the flanges of the panels in the opposed stack of panels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 625,730 5/1899 Caldwell 206-60 2,133,683 10/1938 Black 20660 3,206,050 9/1965 McCracken 206-60 3,291,298 12/1966 McCue 20665 WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.Ri 206--65; 22022 

